Defining Moments in Black History

Reading Between the Lies

By: Dick Gregory

Narrated by: James Shippy

Length: 7 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

With his trademark acerbic wit, incisive humor, and infectious paranoia, one of our foremost comedians and most politically engaged civil rights activists looks back at 100 key events from the complicated history of Black America.

A friend of luminaries including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Medgar Evers, and the forebear of today's popular Black comics, including Larry Wilmore, W. Kamau Bell, Damon Young, and Trevor Noah, Dick Gregory was a provocative and incisive cultural force for more than 50 years. As an entertainer, he always kept it indisputably real about race issues in America, fearlessly lacing laughter with hard truths. As a leading activist against injustice, he marched at Selma during the Civil Rights movement, organized student rallies to protest the Vietnam War; sat in at rallies for Native American and feminist rights; fought apartheid in South Africa; and participated in hunger strikes in support of Black Lives Matter.

In this collection of thoughtful, provocative essays, Gregory charts the complex and often obscured history of the African American experience. In his unapologetically candid voice, he moves from African ancestry and surviving the Middle Passage to the creation of the Jheri Curl, the enjoyment of bacon and everything pig, the headline-making shootings of Black men, and the Black Lives Matter movement. A captivating journey through time, Defining Moments in Black History explores historical movements such as The Great Migration and the Harlem Renaissance, as well as cultural touchstones such as Sidney Poitier winning the Best Actor Oscar for Lilies in the Field and Billie Holiday releasing "Strange Fruit".

An engaging look at Black life that offers insightful commentary on the intricate history of the African American people, Defining Moments in Black History is an essential, no-holds-bar history lesson that will provoke, enlighten, and entertain.

©2017 Dick Gregory (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

absolutely a must-read

I explored every moment and time Dick Gregory opened up the moments and past time

Thank you Dick Gregory

I feel this book should be in every School, and home. Great narrator full of covered up facts. I will do my part as seeker and speaker of Truth

Excellent read

A priceless account of the greatest moments in American history. Modern day John the Baptist

Awakening

Where do I begin? Mr. Gregory (r.i.p.) gave his perspective on what really happened during the times of history for black people. He gives lots of examples on what white supremacy is and how it effects black people and white people who have no power ( a person cuts off their nose despite their face). A must read.

History lesson

Great body of work that was narrated so perfectly you crave more to expand your mind.

AMAZING

Just listen and learn. not everything you read in books newspapers or watch on TV are always facts. Mr Gregory's book makes a lot of sense.

Eye opening

I really want to believe everything such as MJ being killed by a laser, but I can’t. That being said, Dick Gregory has white supremacy figured out. It’s a shame he died right after making this book and calling out all the lies. Coincidence? I hope so

Informative, emotional and humorous

It never hits you how much is left out of our "US History" classes, how much news is never reported on, how many stories are told as fact that are actually just one-sided opinions, until you read a book like this. Dick Gregory reminds us of this fact covering black history from slave times, to the civil wars and segregation to current Presidents and celebrity scandals. Sure, he will lay those conspiracy theories on thick, but some seem pretty plausible hearing the stories from his point of view. Ultimately, it's a quick but informative listen, one you shouldnt overlook.

Wow!!!! Extraordinary phenomenal reading and knowledge

This was one of the most informational, powerful, need to know book that I have ever encountered in my 52 years of living. There should not be a black person in America without this extraordinary book. Thank you so much Dick Gregory for this much needed, enlightening informational book. I wish that I could afford to send each and every family member a copy.

awesome awesome content!

the stories were explained and read beautifully. so much content and insight into black hist-, excuse me, HISTORICAL events that we never get explanations into. Mr. Gregory was a gem. glad to have picked this one!